Willem-Alexander Is New King of Netherlands - The New York Times The New York Times Europe |A King Takes the Throne, and a Nation Celebrates Search Continue reading the main story Photo Willem-Alexander, the new king of the Netherlands, received a kiss from his mother, Beatrix, who abdicated on Tuesday. His wife, Maxima, looked on. Credit Jeroen Van Der Meyde/Dutch Royal House AMSTERDAM — To the cheers of tens of thousands of people crammed shoulder to shoulder outside the royal palace here, Willem-Alexander of the House of Orange-Nassau became the Netherlands ’ first king in 123 years on Tuesday as his mother, Queen Beatrix , ended a 33-year reign with the stroke of a pen, signing the act of abdication in an ornate chamber at the palace. Seated on a gilded chair and flanked by the Dutch cabinet, Beatrix, 75, became the third successive Dutch queen to abdicate, changing her title to princess as supporters celebrating the continuity of the monarchy thronged Dam Square outside the palace.

Many had gathered for hours, clad in orange, the royal color, to watch the brief, long-planned and relatively low-key event on large television screens. The day’s events, a mix of tightly choreographed official pageantry and boisterous street parties across Amsterdam, helped lift the gloom created by a slumping economy, unpopular austerity measures and growing public recognition that, as the new king noted in an afternoon address, “it now seems less self-evident that the next generation will be better off than the last.” Dressed in an orange suit, Bart Koops, an executive at a bed company and a fervent royalist, joined the throng of other revelers early on Tuesday. “Monarchy is what unites us and makes us Dutch,” Mr. Koops said. “This is a great day.” Photo Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, front, in hat, who abdicated the throne in favor of her son, Willem-Alexander, with her granddaughters during his investiture ceremony. Credit Michael Kooren/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images He added: “The monarchy is a point of stability and unity.

Politicians just fight each other.” In contrast to the British royal family, he said, Dutch royals are far less formal, and they are in tune with the open, easygoing spirit of the Netherlands. “Look at the countries that don’t have royalty,” he said. “They are missing something.” Continue reading the main story Beatrix announced in January that she would step down to make way for a younger generation. After signing the formal declaration of abdication shortly after 10 a.m., Beatrix, the new king and his Argentine-born wife emerged onto a flower-bedecked balcony to cheers from the crowd. Church bells rang out across the city. Advertisement In the early afternoon, the crowd in Dam Square roared as King Willem-Alexander, trailing a long fur-trimmed cape, and his wife, Queen Maxima, entered the 15th-century Nieuwe Kerk, or New Church, next to the royal palace for the investiture ceremony. Unlike royal rituals in England, there was no religious blessing or coronation.

Paying tribute to his mother and promising to continue her course, Willem-Alexander, 46, stressed the need to respect diversity and promised that “however varied our backgrounds, in the Kingdom of the Netherlands everyone can have a voice and can contribute to society on an equal footing.” Photo Dancing in Amsterdam, where throngs of people, most dressed in orange, celebrated the monarchy. The day was a mix of tightly choreographed pageantry and boisterous street parties. Credit Emilio Morenatti/Associated Press He also acknowledged his subjects’ growing economic woes as the country’s once robust economy struggles with its third recession since 2009. Populist politicians have exploited this pain to press demands that the Netherlands halt immigration and crack down on welfare payments to foreign-born residents. “I succeed to the throne at a time when many in the kingdom feel vulnerable and uncertain,” he said, according to an official translation of his remarks. “Vulnerable in their jobs or their health. Uncertain about their income or the environment in which they live.” Before the swearing-in ceremony, the former queen clutched the hands of her son and daughter-in-law before the national anthem was played.

“Some moments ago I abdicated from the throne,” Beatrix said, seeming to struggle with tears. “I am happy and thankful to present to you your new king.” Video The Netherlands’ New King Willem-Alexander of the House of Orange-Nassau became the Netherlands’ first king in 123 years on Tuesday as his mother, Queen Beatrix, ended a 33-year reign. Publish Date April 30, 2013. by Pool photo by Peter Dejong. Watch in Times Video » embed Some of the cheers for the royal trio reflected the popularity of the new queen, who had a career as an investment banker before marrying Willem-Alexander in 2002, adding a dash of glamour and romance to an otherwise low-key and at times dowdy royal family. More recently, Willem-Alexander has recovered from a scandal over his purchase of a holiday villa in Mozambique, which he sold last year. He is now widely seen as a sober-minded and responsible professional with a knack for connecting with ordinary people, Dutch experts said, but is also regarded as far less cerebral than his mother. He has mostly kept his views on society and politics to himself.

Advertisement Continue reading the main story The new king is also Europe’s youngest monarch, and as such he has vowed that he and Queen Maxima, 41, will not be “protocol fetishists.” Dutch news media reported that the queen will attend the opening of a conference this summer on same-sex marriage , which has been legal here for years. On Tuesday, an anti-monarchist, Hans Maessen, stood in Dam Square waving a sign saying, “No Monarchy, More Democracy.” Instead of sporting orange like those around him, he wore a white shirt that said, “I Don’t Want Him.” He conceded that the balance of opinion was running against his cause but said even republicans liked a good party. Opinion polls, however, show overwhelming support for the institution. “Monarchy is a big part of our sense of ourselves,” said Bas Heijne, a prominent Dutch commentator. “The Dutch don’t want to do away with the monarchy. If you are rational you say: ‘This is nonsense. We should get rid of it.’ But the anti-monarchists underestimate the way the monarchy is part of Dutch life, of being Dutch.” Andrew Higgins reported from Amsterdam, and Alan Cowell from London.

A version of this article appears in print on May 1, 2013, on Page A4 of the New York edition with the headline: A King Takes the Throne, and a Nation Celebrates. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe King Willem-Alexander Biography (Royalty) Best known as: The king of the Netherlands, 2013- Name at birth: Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand King Willem-Alexander became ruler of The Netherlands on 30 April 2013 after the official abdication of his mother, Queen Beatrix . He is the first child of Beatrix and her husband, Prince Claus. ("On his birth, he received the titles of Prince of the Netherlands and Prince of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg," according to the Royal Family's official site.) Willem-Alexander attended Atlantic College in Llantwit Major, Wales, gaining an International Baccalaureate in 1985.

After two years of military service in the Royal Netherlands Navy (August 1985-January 1987), he went to Leiden University and earned a history degree in 1993; according to DutchNews.nl, his love of partying and beer while there earned him the nickname "Prince Pils." He later earned a military pilot's license and devoted himself to the study of Dutch government and history in preparation for his future role as the country's king. Known as the Prince of Orange, he also pursued interests in the environment and water quality, serving as chairman of the UN's water and sanitation advisory board (UNSGAB). He married Maxima Zorreguieta, a former investment banker from Argentina, on 2 February 2002. The marriage was a bit controversial: her father was a former member of Argentina's military junta. (The controversy echoed that surrounding his mother's marriage to his father, a former member of the Hitler Youth.) King Willem-Alexander and his wife have three children: Catharina-Amalia (born 7 December 2003), Alexia (b. 26 June 2005) and Ariane (b.

10 April 2007). Queen Beatrix announced on 28 January 2003 her plans to abdicate on April 30th of that year; her son succeeded her on that day, taking the title of King Willem-Alexander. Extra credit: Willem-Alexander is the first Dutch king since William III, who ruled from 1849-1890. He was followed by Queen Wilhelmina (1890-1948), Queen Juliana (1948-80), and Queen Beatrix (1980-2013). After her abdication, Queen Beatrix became known as Princess Beatrix… Willem-Alexander is an athlete and enthusiastic sportsman; he skated the legendary 125-mile (200-kilometer) Eleven Cities ice-skating marathon — the Elfstedentocht — under the name “W.A. van Buren” in 1986… Upon the death of his father in 2002, he became head of the German House of Amsberg. Copyright © 1998-2017 by Who2?, LLC.

All rights reserved. Advertisement Advertisement Dutch prince becomes king as his mother Queen Beatrix abdicates | World news | The Guardian Netherlands Dutch prince becomes king as his mother Queen Beatrix abdicates The Dutch operate the world's biggest flea market for a day as the monarchy changes hands on the queen's 75th birthday King Willem-Alexander kisses his mother Princess Beatrix as she abdicates and he assumes the throne. Photograph: Daniel Ochoa De Olza/AP Tuesday 30 April 2013 13.00 EDT First published on Tuesday 30 April 2013 13.00 EDT Close This article is 3 years old There was cannabis and champagne on the canals. There was the world's biggest flea market for a day. Mobile music systems blasting out from bicycles. It all happened in a 17th century Golden Age church. But it was a secular, not a religious ceremony, solemn but not trying to confer mystique. Very Dutch. Very Amsterdam. The day Crown Prince Willem-Alexander became King of The Netherlands .

The 46-year-old redhead was enthroned as the first Dutch king since the 19th century on Tuesday amid just enough pomp and circumstance for the entire population watching on TV or on the giant screens erected across the squares of Holland. But the ceremonials were also very Dutch: sober, pragmatic and, in a sense, conditional as Queen Beatrix returned to her previous status as a princess and the first Dutch king since 1890 swore himself in before people he described as "citizens", not "subjects." Beatrix abdicated – uniquely among Europe's royal houses it has become the tradition in The Netherlands – on her 75th birthday, ending a 33-year reign, and passing the torch to one of her three sons, at a stroke rejuvenating the ageing stock of Europe's crowned heads. Except that King Willem-Alexander, in another peculiarly Dutch tradition, is not a crowned head at all. This was no coronation, rather an investiture or an inauguration, almost republican with some red ermine attached. The crown sat on a table in front of him in the 17th century church. It is never worn.

Decked out completely in orange from his wig to his shoelaces and waving a Dutch flag, Karel Knispel appeared every inch the ardent monarchist. But amid the street parties, the ubiquitous celebrations and the huge, sometimes impassable crowds in Amsterdam, appearances could deceive. "I like the tradition that on one day every year everyone is united in the same colour. That's a good principle," said the 46-year-old from Arnhem, adding that as a little boy, on the monarch's birthday he would cover his bicycle in orange crepe paper. "Orange is a good colour for this, a friendly colour. But this is not about the monarchy; it's about uniting everyone. I'm not a monarchist. And I hope Willem-Alexander doesn't interfere in politics like his mother did." It was a common sentiment on a joyous, if grey and blustery day. "I've got nothing against him if he does a good job," said Wout Van Bavel, a retired businessman in the obligatory orange pullover and shirt. "I don't mind the monarchy.

But I wouldn't mind also if it wasn't there." The new king and Maxima, his Argentinian former New York banker wife, struck the right note of modesty and sureness in what is the bi-centennial of the House of Orange. "For the course of two centuries, the Dutch royal house has been linked with parliamentary democracy," Willem-Alexander said. There were no archbishops nor cardinals nor Calvinist elders presiding over the events in the 17th century New Church beside the royal palace in the centre of Amsterdam. Instead, it was the politicians who took centre stage, the assembled elected members of the first (upper) and second (lower) chambers of parliament in The Hague. Individually, they stood to declare their loyalty to the throne or to profess their monarchical agnosticism. The latter included Geert Wilders, the rightwing populist who has been the anti-Islam, anti-immigration, anti-EU scourge of Dutch politics for the past few years. Outside, if you paid a euro, you could throw eggs at a Wilders's face, alongside the stallholders peddling 10-euro orange T-shirts with Will and Maxima depicted as the king and queen of hearts.

They reported business was booming, but despite the boisterous determination to have a good time on the national holiday, the Dutch evinced little sense of unlimited devotion to the newcomer to the throne. If he does a good job, fine; if he doesn't, we'll see, was the commonsense verdict. "I never really saw him as a king, and I don't even know if I'm a monarchist" admitted Paul Van De Grampel, a financier in the City of London who took a snap decision on Tuesday morning to rush home for the big day. He attended school and university with the king and knows his two brothers, too. "He is very down-to-earth, has really matured," he said. "In the past 10 years, he has become a much more balanced person. And Maxima's just great. She's giving a real shine to the whole family." Willem-Alexander did not wear a crown, but many people did, plastic orange inflatable crowns, turning the city of Amsterdam into one giant car-boot sale on an urban scale. It seemed that every pavement in the city was converted into a flea market. Parents emptied their children's toy cupboards on to the streets and put everything up for sale.

Secondhand clothes fluttered in the breeze. Crockery, CDs, creaky furniture and old kitchen gadgetry made it hard to navigate the pavements. Everyone was selling something. Because on the queen's birthday, and next year on the new king's birthday, April 27, you are allowed to put anything on the street and sell it. The only day of the year this is allowed. "We're free to sell anything today," said Van Bavel offering an old pair of candlesticks and an unwanted picture frame. "The other 364 days of the year it's not allowed. Only on the queen's birthday. I'm a bit sad she's going.

He's going to have to prove himself." King Willem-Alexander used to be known as the Lager Prince; Queen Beatrix celebrates her birthday with a giant car boot sale and the Dutch crown is made of fish scales Published: 30 Apr 2013 • Queen Beatrix hands over to son • Orange-clad Dutch celebrate on Queen's Day Investiture of King Willem-Alexander takes place after well-loved queen of the Netherlands signs abdication document in Amsterdam, ending her 33-year reign Published: 30 Apr 2013 King Willem-Alexander takes Dutch throne - CNN.com Willem-Alexander is first Dutch king in more than 120 years He became monarch after his 75-year-old mother abdicated Beatrix may have abdicated to be with son, who's in coma New queen's father, a former Argentinian minister, will miss investiture Willem-Alexander was sworn in as the first Dutch king in more than 120 years on Tuesday after his mother, Queen Beatrix, abdicated the throne, ending 33 years as the country's monarch.

The 75-year-old monarch handed over power in a constitutionally ordained ceremony in the Mozes Hall of the royal palace in Amsterdam. The transfer became official as she signed the "instrument of abdication" that means she will now be known as Princess Beatrix. Cheers erupted from crowds gathered outside the palace who were watching proceedings on a big screen as the queen signed the document. CNN's Max Foster reported that many in the Netherlands had been partying well into the night. Thousands of well-wishers, many of them wearing orange wigs, T-shirts and hats, flooded down Damrak towards the center of the city. Lots of flags were waving, saying "Dag Beatrix" on one side and "Hallo Willem-Alexander" on the other. Church bells rang out across the city as the family appeared on the balcony of the royal palace and people in the square waved flags and blew horns. "I'm happy and grateful to present you your new King Willem-Alexander," Beatrix told the crowd. JUST WATCHED iReport: Happy faces as crowds applaud new king Beatrix stepped down on the national holiday known as Queen's Day, an opportunity for people across the Netherlands to dress up and party.

The investiture during which the new king took the oath of office before a joint session of parliament was the high point of a year of celebrations marking the end of the Napoleonic occupation in 1813. Before taking his oath, the king thanked his mother for the "many beautiful years during which she was our queen." "Dear mother, he said, "remained calm in difficult times and stayed her course," he said. "I'm treading in your footsteps but no one knows what the future brings," he said. The king swore "to preserve the independence and territory of the kingdom to the best of my ability ... so help me God." Beatrix announced her abdication in January, saying it was time for a new generation to lead . "I have always considered it as an extraordinary privilege to be able to put a big part of my life at the service of our country and in accordance with my task to add substance to my kingship," said Beatrix, who acceded to the throne when her mother, Queen Juliana, abdicated in 1980. READ: What Dutch royals can teach world's monarchs "Until today, this beautiful task has given me a lot of satisfaction.

It is inspiring to feel close to people, to sympathize in grievances and share times of joy and national pride." The Dutch media has speculated that the queen was abdicating to spend more time with her second son Friso, who was injured in an avalanche at an Austrian ski resort last year. He remains in a coma in a London hospital. In a televised address Monday night, Beatrix said she knew the new royal couple would have the loving trust of the nation. "My oldest son will now take over a beautiful task which is filled with great responsibility," she said. "I am absolutely convinced that Willem-Alexander will be committed in faithful devotion to be a good king and to do what a good King is asked to do." A king for the 21st century The 46-year-old new king was educated in Wales and Holland, where he earned a history degree at Leiden University. He served in the Dutch Royal Navy from 1985 to 1987. As Prince of Orange -- the title given to the person first in line to the Dutch throne -- he was interested in sustainability and innovation. He is married to Máxima, who was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

She has a degree in economics and has worked for HSBC and Deutsche Bank. The couple have been married for 11 years and have three daughters. Last week, the couple gave their first joint TV interview in which Willem set out how he intended to rule. "I want to be a king who is first of all traditional, built on the tradition of my predecessors, who stands for continuity and also for stability in the country ... but also a king who in the 21st century can bind together and represent society as a whole." Asked how he intended to do that, Willem told the NOS state broadcaster: "By being present where you think people need support or help, by giving extra attention and presence to worthwhile events and by supporting people who are in need." Notable absence One notable absence at Tuesday's ceremony was the new queen's father, Jorge Zorreguieta, who was a minister during the 1976-1983 Argentinian military dictatorship. Maxima said her family would not attend her swearing-in as queen because of her father's controversial past. "This is a constitutional event, when my husband becomes king and my father doesn't belong there, especially if there are issues," the princess told NOS.

"He remains my father, we still enjoy our private moments." Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicates in favour of son | World news | The Guardian Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicates in favour of son Beatrix to relinquish crown at end of April after 33 years, leaving monarchy to Crown-Prince Willem-Alexander Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, who has abdicated. Her son Crown-Prince Willem-Alexander will become the new monarch. Photograph: Marcel Antonisse/EPA Monday 28 January 2013 13.37 EST First published on Monday 28 January 2013 13.37 EST Close This article is 3 years old Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands , the oldest reigning Dutch monarch, announced her abdication on Monday evening in a sudden move three days before her 75th birthday. After 33 years on the throne following her mother's abdication in 1980, Beatrix said she would relinquish the crown at the end of April, leaving the monarchy to Crown-Prince Willem-Alexander, the oldest of her three sons.

The queen went on national television and radio on Monday evening to announce the departure, having recorded the broadcast earlier in the day. The prime minister, Mark Rutte, delivered a statement on television shortly afterwards, with both stressing that the crown prince had been intensively prepared for the role of monarch. "The queen was there for us in good times, but also in bad times. Her knowledge and compassion made her an icon of the Netherlands," Rutte said in his statement. The popular 74-year-old has kept a relatively low profile, aspiring to an image of homely normality by, for example, riding her bike in The Hague. She is also said to be a member of the Bilderberg Group and is ranked among Europe's wealthiest royals. But behind the scenes, Beatrix took an intense interest in national politics. Although a constitutional monarch, the queen is officially a member of the Dutch cabinet and until last year she had the right of initiative in proposing who should try to form a government in the complex Dutch coalition system. "Almost 75, [after] 33 years of rule, she's quitting when she's at the top of the world," said a diplomat.

Widowed a decade ago on the death of Prince Claus, a German aristocrat who served as a German diplomat, Beatrix has been visited by intense family misfortune over the past year. Her second son, Friso, was badly injured in a skiing accident in Austria last February and has been in a coma in a London clinic ever since. His wife, Princess Mabel, a commoner prominent in NGO circles in the 1990s in the Balkans, lives in London with their two daughters. The abdication secures the Dutch throne for Crown-Prince Willem-Alexander at the age of 45. His wife, Princess Maxima, is Argentinian and her family have been involved in court controversies over the past 18 months stemming from her father's role as a civilian minister for agriculture in the Argentinian junta between 1976 and 1981. Relatives of one of the thousands of "disappeared" killed under the junta sought to mount a criminal case in the Dutch courts 18 months ago. Last March the Dutch prosecutor's office ruled there were no grounds for charging the father, Jorge Zorreguieta.

The ascent to the throne of Willem-Alexander means the Netherlands will have its first king in more than a century. Abdication is also in the tradition of the Dutch monarchy. Beatrix's mother, Queen Juliana abdicated in 1980, her mother, Queen Wilhelmina, in 1948. Despite going through some tough times, Europe's ageing monarchs refuse to step down – except in the Netherlands Published: 1 Feb 2013 After 33 years on the throne, Queen Beatrix is abdicating in favour of her oldest son, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander Published: 28 Jan 2013 King Willem-Alexander Biography (Royalty) Best known as: The king of the Netherlands, 2013- Name at birth: Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand King Willem-Alexander became ruler of The Netherlands on 30 April 2013 after the official abdication of his mother, Queen Beatrix . He is the first child of Beatrix and her husband, Prince Claus.

("On his birth, he received the titles of Prince of the Netherlands and Prince of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg," according to the Royal Family's official site.) Willem-Alexander attended Atlantic College in Llantwit Major, Wales, gaining an International Baccalaureate in 1985. After two years of military service in the Royal Netherlands Navy (August 1985-January 1987), he went to Leiden University and earned a history degree in 1993; according to DutchNews.nl, his love of partying and beer while there earned him the nickname "Prince Pils." He later earned a military pilot's license and devoted himself to the study of Dutch government and history in preparation for his future role as the country's king. Known as the Prince of Orange, he also pursued interests in the environment and water quality, serving as chairman of the UN's water and sanitation advisory board (UNSGAB). He married Maxima Zorreguieta, a former investment banker from Argentina, on 2 February 2002. The marriage was a bit controversial: her father was a former member of Argentina's military junta.

(The controversy echoed that surrounding his mother's marriage to his father, a former member of the Hitler Youth.) King Willem-Alexander and his wife have three children: Catharina-Amalia (born 7 December 2003), Alexia (b. 26 June 2005) and Ariane (b. 10 April 2007). Queen Beatrix announced on 28 January 2003 her plans to abdicate on April 30th of that year; her son succeeded her on that day, taking the title of King Willem-Alexander. Extra credit: Willem-Alexander is the first Dutch king since William III, who ruled from 1849-1890. He was followed by Queen Wilhelmina (1890-1948), Queen Juliana (1948-80), and Queen Beatrix (1980-2013).

After her abdication, Queen Beatrix became known as Princess Beatrix… Willem-Alexander is an athlete and enthusiastic sportsman; he skated the legendary 125-mile (200-kilometer) Eleven Cities ice-skating marathon — the Elfstedentocht — under the name “W.A. van Buren” in 1986… Upon the death of his father in 2002, he became head of the German House of Amsberg. Copyright © 1998-2017 by Who2?, LLC. All rights reserved. Dutch crowning: King Willem-Alexander becomes Europe's youngest monarch - Telegraph Netherlands Dutch crowning: King Willem-Alexander becomes Europe's youngest monarch King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands has begun his reign by paying tribute to his mother Princess Beatrix who abdicated in his favour after 33 years as Queen. 10 things you never knew about Dutch Royal Family Guests at ceremony include Prince of Wales In an emotional investiture, the first Dutch king for 123 years addressed two thousand guests, including the Prince of Wales, and the country's legislators in Amsterdam's De Nieuwe Kerk church.

Outlining his new role as monarch, King Willem-Alexander honoured his mother as the guardian of Dutch democracy and the country's constitution for the last three decades. "Wherever the path leads, your wisdom and your warmth I carry with me. Thank you for the many wonderful years in which we were allowed to have you as our queen," he said. Related Articles 10 things you never knew about the Dutch royal family 29 Apr 2013 "She stood for the values anchored in the constitution. Dear mother, you were queen in full knowledge of the duties you had you were also a wife and mother, and you were fully aware of your duties there too. You were a great support to us all." A general view of celebrations for the inauguration of King Willem Alexander of the Netherlands as Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicates on April 30, 2013 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Visibly moved, Princess Beatrix turned to her granddaughters, including the new heir to the throne, smothering her tears in family laughter over a private joke.

The new king, Europe's youngest monarch, has pledged to be a 21st century royal head of state, even telling Dutch people that they do not have to call him "your majesty" unless they want to. "As king I want to encourage people to make the most of the opportunities they have. I will represent the kingdom with pride. I want to unite the Dutch, in times of happiness and in times of sadness," he said. Wearing an ermine fringed "royal mantle" and an orange sash, King Willem-Alexander's speech was the ceremonial highpoint of a day combining street celebrations with the legal niceties of the Dutch constitution. His Argentinian wife, Queen Maxima, 41 who is hugely popular as the glamorous face of the Dutch monarchy, was resplendent in a royal blue dress with a 655 diamond and platinum tiara. Following the new king's speech and oath Dutch MPs and senator stood up to swear allegiance to the king by saying"So help me God" or "I promise".

All but 16 of Holland's 225 members of the upper and lower houses of parliament took the oath in an investiture ceremony that eschews crowns and sceptres to focus on the constitutional role of the Dutch monarch. The swearing in ceremony, which lasted almost 20 minutes, was almost too much for the king's nine-year old daughter Catharina-Amalia, the Princess of Orange, the new heir to the Dutch throne. As a children's choir began to sing, she stifled a yawn. In a formal act of abdication earlier this morning, the Dutch queen became a princess handing over her throne to the Prince of Orange who is now King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands . "Today I make way for a new generation," said Queen Beatrix. Before signing the state documents of the "act of abdication" inside the royal palace in Amsterdam, Queen Beatrix smiled, winked and took her son's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze in front of the cameras. "I Queen Beatrix abdicate in favour of my son Willem-Alexander," said the legal act.

At that moment, as Queen Beatrix gave away her throne, a crowd of tens of thousands of Dutch people gathered on Dam Square burst into emotional applause, shouting "Thank you Bea". People, most of them wearing orange tee shirts, hats or plastic crowns, gather at the Dam Square in Amsterdam The cheering began again and bells rang out eight minutes later after the signing by all 10 members of the royal House of Orange-Nassau and state officals. To rapturous applause at 10.30 am, Princess Beatrix appeared on the palace balcony with King Willem-Alexander and his wife, Queen Maxima. "I am happy and grateful to introduce to you your new king, Willem-Alexander," she said. To more cheers, King Willem Alexander then turned to his mother Princess Beatrix. "Dear mother. You have given the kingdom 33 moving and inspired years, which we are intensely grateful for," he said. Facing back to the crowds, he shouted "Thank you". As the crowd shouted "long live the king", Princess Beatrix told her son, "maybe you should wave a bit" before fetching her granddaughters to the balcony for the national anthem.

Large crowds gather in front of the Royal Palace (R) on Dam Square in Amsterdam King Willem-Alexander biography | birthday, trivia | Royalty | Who2 King Willem-Alexander Biography Name at birth: Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand King Willem-Alexander became ruler of The Netherlands on 30 April 2013 after the official abdication of his mother, Queen Beatrix . He is the first child of Beatrix and her husband, Prince Claus. (“On his birth, he received the titles of Prince of the Netherlands and Prince of Orange-Nassau, Jonkheer van Amsberg,” according to the Royal Family’s official site.) Willem-Alexander attended Atlantic College in Llantwit Major, Wales, gaining an International Baccalaureate in 1985.

After two years of military service in the Royal Netherlands Navy (August 1985-January 1987), he went to Leiden University and earned a history degree in 1993; according to DutchNews.nl, his love of partying and beer while there earned him the nickname “Prince Pils.” He later earned a military pilot’s license and devoted himself to the study of Dutch government and history in preparation for his future role as the country’s king. Known as the Prince of Orange, he also pursued interests in the environment and water quality, serving as chairman of the UN’s water and sanitation advisory board (UNSGAB). He married Maxima Zorreguieta, a former investment banker from Argentina, on 2 February 2002. The marriage was a bit controversial: her father was a former member of Argentina’s military junta. (The controversy echoed that surrounding his mother’s marriage to his father, a former member of the Hitler Youth.) King Willem-Alexander and his wife have three children: Catharina-Amalia (born 7 December 2003), Alexia (b. 26 June 2005) and Ariane (b.

10 April 2007). Queen Beatrix announced on 28 January 2003 her plans to abdicate on April 30th of that year; her son succeeded her on that day, taking the title of King Willem-Alexander. Extra credit Willem-Alexander is the first Dutch king since William III, who ruled from 1849-1890. He was followed by Queen Wilhelmina (1890-1948), Queen Juliana (1948-80), and Queen Beatrix (1980-2013). After her abdication, Queen Beatrix became known as Princess Beatrix… Willem-Alexander is an athlete and enthusiastic sportsman; he skated the legendary 125-mile (200-kilometer) Eleven Cities ice-skating marathon — the Elfstedentocht — under the name “W.A. van Buren” in 1986… Upon the death of his father in 2002, he became head of the German House of Amsberg.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicates: Thousands of Dutch turn out to see monarch sign away her throne | Daily Mail Online Willem rules the waves: New King and Queen of the Netherlands sail the canals of Amsterdam with young princesses for royal water pageant Crown Prince Willem-Alexander has been inaugurated as the Netherlands' first king since 1890 today His mother Beatrix, 75, abdicating after a 33-year reign, has taken the title Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands 'I am happy and grateful to introduce to you your new king, Willem-Alexander,' she told the cheering crowd Princess Beatrix's decision to step down from the largely ceremonial role had been widely expected King Willem-Alexander's daughter Catharina-Amalia, nine, is now Princess of Orange and next in line to the throne Celebrations continue tonight with a water pageant along the IJ, Amsterdam's historic waterfront

Question: Who, in 2013, became King of the Netherlands on the abdication of his mother Queen Beatrix?
Answer: Willem-Alexander